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Lafferty fined by Rangers

Kyle Lafferty has been fined by Rangers after his theatrics in the 2-1 win over Aberdeen.

By Richard Bailey

Last Updated: 18/05/09 1:28pm

Kyle Lafferty has been fined by Rangers after his theatrics in the 2-1 win over Aberdeen got Charlie Mulgrew sent-off.

Both players went head-to-head in the 18th minute only for Lafferty to fall to the floor clutching his face in front of the linesman atter little or no contact was made.

Thinking the striker had been the victim of a head-butt referee Stuart Dougal immediately brandished a red card for the Dons defender much to his bewilderment.

After watching the incident after the match Rangers manager Walter Smith criticised his player's behaviour and the club have now punished the 21-year-old.

In an action-packed game, which saw the Gers go two points clear at the top, Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra was also sent-off five minutes before the break.

Both clubs have appealed the respective dismissals while referee Dougal admits that he may have made a mistake with the Lafferty incident.

"Following the game and upon returning home I have reviewed the Mulgrew and Lafferty incidents and my views on these have been emailed to the SFA prior to asking for them," he told the Herald.

"While the contents must remain private and the SFA must be given time to consider it is fair to say I - like most people at the game - was convinced Kyle Lafferty has been the victim of violent conduct but I now see this is not the case."

Apology

Meanwhile Lafferty has since apologised for his dramatic behaviour by releasing the following statement.

"I want to apologise for my actions in Saturday's match at Aberdeen," he said on the club's official website.

"It was something I should not have done and I deeply regret what happened. I will make a personal apology to Charlie Mulgrew because he should not have been sent off.

"I also want to apologise to the referee and his assistants. It is difficult enough for officials to handle important SPL matches without me making it more difficult by behaving the way I did.

"I also totally accept that I have let down the club and the supporters. There are standards at Rangers Football Club that need to be upheld and I have fallen way below these standards.

"What I did was wrong and I would like to say sorry to the supporters because they should expect better from a Rangers player.

"Their backing on Saturday was fantastic - as it has been all season - and for me to behave the way I did was completely wrong."